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JLA: The Deluxe Edition
JLA, Vol. 1
Relive the legendary 1990s JLA series, written by comics mastermind Grant Morrison (FINAL CRISIS) with stunning art by Howard Porter and others, in this amazing volume collecting JLA #1-9 and SECRET FILES AND ORIGINS #1! The action begins as the JLA reunites to stop the Hyperclan, who have come to Earth posing as a new group of super heroes. But as their true nature comes to light, only the World's Greatest Super Heroes can stop them! Standing side by side, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, The Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter take on alien posers and come to realize that Earth needs a protectorate made up of only the mightiest icons!
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
189 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Grant Morrison
1,792 books4,573 followersGrant Morrison has been working with DC Comics for twenty five years, after beginning their American comics career with acclaimed runs on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL. Since then they have written such best-selling series as JLA, BATMAN and New X-Men, as well as such creator-owned works as THE INVISIBLES, SEAGUY, THE FILTH, WE3 and JOE THE BARBARIAN. In addition to expanding the DC Universe through titles ranging from the Eisner Award-winning SEVEN SOLDIERS and ALL-STAR SUPERMAN to the reality-shattering epic of FINAL CRISIS, they have also reinvented the worlds of the Dark Knight Detective in BATMAN AND ROBIN and BATMAN, INCORPORATED and the Man of Steel in The New 52 ACTION COMICS.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 187 reviews
December 17, 2014
Word on the street was that back in the 1990s DC Comics were lagging so Grant Morrison wanted to help recharge it by bringing back the original JLAers and DC gave him the green light. Fortunately for all of them sales shot up with this JLA refresh.
As usual it's in the typical “over the top” style that Grant Morrison likes to approach with his tales. The first one is titled “JLA #1-4” and focuses on the Hyperclan which is supposedly a group of alien superheroes who are “better” than the JLA and go about proving it to the mortal citizens of the world. Some spoilers below about the first tale.
There's a middle tale “JLA #5” of an android superhero made by supervillains and of course the twist is that the android does something unexpected. This was probably the least interesting of the three tales for me.
The third tale “JLA #6-9” is all about angels chasing a renegade angel who begs off the JLA yet they help anyway against diving beings who are supposedly unstoppable. The new Green Lantern gets to shine here.
The fourth tale “JLA Secret Files #1” is about an alien invasion that leads to complications for the JLA.
Some bits and pieces to the tales that I found interesting that aren't really spoilers: Superman changes his hair style and outfit; sort of a fun friendship-rivalry between Flash and the current Green Lantern; and the fact that mortals no longer attend Superhero funerals (because they never die and they always come back and the mortals are on to it).
The artwork may seem glossy to some but I really liked it. It was probably a good way to refresh the JLA. The panels almost slam together and overlap during the action scenes.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: A minus to A; STORY/PLOTTING: A minus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus; ACTION SCENES:B plus to A minus; JLA REFRESH APPROACH: A; OVERALL GRADE: A minus; WHEN READ: mid August 2012.
As usual it's in the typical “over the top” style that Grant Morrison likes to approach with his tales. The first one is titled “JLA #1-4” and focuses on the Hyperclan which is supposedly a group of alien superheroes who are “better” than the JLA and go about proving it to the mortal citizens of the world. Some spoilers below about the first tale.
There's a middle tale “JLA #5” of an android superhero made by supervillains and of course the twist is that the android does something unexpected. This was probably the least interesting of the three tales for me.
The third tale “JLA #6-9” is all about angels chasing a renegade angel who begs off the JLA yet they help anyway against diving beings who are supposedly unstoppable. The new Green Lantern gets to shine here.
The fourth tale “JLA Secret Files #1” is about an alien invasion that leads to complications for the JLA.
Some bits and pieces to the tales that I found interesting that aren't really spoilers: Superman changes his hair style and outfit; sort of a fun friendship-rivalry between Flash and the current Green Lantern; and the fact that mortals no longer attend Superhero funerals (because they never die and they always come back and the mortals are on to it).
The artwork may seem glossy to some but I really liked it. It was probably a good way to refresh the JLA. The panels almost slam together and overlap during the action scenes.
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: A minus to A; STORY/PLOTTING: A minus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B plus; ACTION SCENES:B plus to A minus; JLA REFRESH APPROACH: A; OVERALL GRADE: A minus; WHEN READ: mid August 2012.
November 29, 2021
Okay, I'll say it on the record: I kind of miss Superman's mullet. It really made him more relatable. In related news, I need a haircut.
December 16, 2012
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter: together, they are the Justice League of America. They face a hostile alien super-powered team who appear on Earth to enslave mankind, sentient robots, the army of Heaven, and trickster aliens harnessing cosmic power.
This is Grant Morrison’s late ‘90s run on the JLA and boy can you tell it’s the ‘90s! Superman’s rocking a mullet for the first four issues but afterwards, inexplicably, he becomes all blue and white, unrecognisable as Superman besides the pentagon “S” on his chest. He looks like if Derek Zoolander tried a Superman look. It’s such a strange gear shift to have this bizarre looking Superman suddenly appear and no-one commenting on this new costume. Aquaman looks like Ultimate Thor crossed with Captain Hook - his left hand is a golden harpoon! Batman literally has claws which seems like something he wouldn’t have because it’s impractical and looks like it’d be more suited on Catwoman, while Green Lantern’s mask looks to be made out of Lego. Even the lettering has that ‘90s look, all slanted and sharp.
Morrison has a reputation for writing abstract, weird stories which is totally justified when you read books like “The Filth” and “The Invisibles” but he writes “JLA” straight, so you never feel as if you don’t know what’s going on. While the stories are definitely grandiose and ambitious enough for this super-powered team, I found the lineup handling these dangers to be less than pleasant to spend time with.
Batman is barely in this book, appearing in the first 4 issues and thereafter making the bare minimum of appearances. “I promised the League I’d be prepared to function in an advisory capacity” he growls at Superman, “That’s what I’m doing now”, before exiting the story. He’s so contemptuous of the JLA! Aquaman too doesn’t want to be there, making sure everyone know that at all times. And everyone’s mean to Green Lantern - Kyle Rayner - who’s fresh from the ranks of the Teen Titans. Rayner’s so bullied that he becomes insecure saying things like: “I can’t handle this. It’s like playing with the Beatles”. J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter, when he’s not making Rayner feel inadequate, is the definition of aloof; standing in the background, pupil-less eyes staring stoically ahead, arms crossed. Besides one panel - one! - in this book where he shows what he can do, he contributes so little I kept wondering what he was doing on the team. And Superman and Wonder Woman seem to prefer to work separately and do so most of the time. The only 2 who actually work well as a team are the Flash and Green Lantern. Otherwise, this JLA are a team in name only. They’re so uncommitted to this line-up that they actually start holding auditions for new members by issue #5!
But there are plenty of good moments in this book. I really liked Morrison’s characterisation of Batman who is cold but impossibly brilliant, constantly being the biggest threat in this group of god-like figures despite having no super-powers. In every story he’s included in, he plays the major role, being the first one to figure out what’s going on and how best to defeat the challenge, setting up traps and situations ahead of time. Like a brilliant chess grandmaster, he’s several moves ahead of everyone else. As a Batman fan, I loved this version of the character - at least when he was around.
I haven’t read many Green Lantern books but the stories I have read have had GL make some very mundane creations, swords/guns etc. Morrison’s GL constructs are actually imaginative and cool. He comes up with a robotic T-Rex, spaceships, and a manga robot to fight with, and in one instance when all he needs to do is create a cutting device for some rope he crafts an intricately robotic pair of scissors! He also utilises Flash’s speed by creating a laser gun powered by a treadmill Flash runs on - genius!
“JLA Vol 1” has some cool storylines but the characters weren’t likeable or developed enough for me to fully enjoy the book. The group dynamics put me off as they all seemed awkward and unpleasant around each other, as if they hadn’t settled down enough to work as a team but, disappointingly, there was no effort to resolve this. Batman’s portrayal made reading this worth it but the lack of character development for Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman was a big failing as the “JLA” is made up of different personalities and yet half of them seem to be cardboard cutouts, mechanically performing the role of the hero. It definitely felt that Morrison wasn’t able to juggle this many disparate characters well enough yet and so the stories tend to feature Superman or Flash or Green Lantern in fully fleshed out roles while the others are left out or underwritten as a result.
“JLA” falls between the good and the bad of Morrison’s work. It has it’s good moments but is also underwhelming and tedious by turns. Hopefully, like his fantastic run on Batman, the early issues are the worst of the bunch before he finds his feet with the series and it takes off in “Vol 2”.
This is Grant Morrison’s late ‘90s run on the JLA and boy can you tell it’s the ‘90s! Superman’s rocking a mullet for the first four issues but afterwards, inexplicably, he becomes all blue and white, unrecognisable as Superman besides the pentagon “S” on his chest. He looks like if Derek Zoolander tried a Superman look. It’s such a strange gear shift to have this bizarre looking Superman suddenly appear and no-one commenting on this new costume. Aquaman looks like Ultimate Thor crossed with Captain Hook - his left hand is a golden harpoon! Batman literally has claws which seems like something he wouldn’t have because it’s impractical and looks like it’d be more suited on Catwoman, while Green Lantern’s mask looks to be made out of Lego. Even the lettering has that ‘90s look, all slanted and sharp.
Morrison has a reputation for writing abstract, weird stories which is totally justified when you read books like “The Filth” and “The Invisibles” but he writes “JLA” straight, so you never feel as if you don’t know what’s going on. While the stories are definitely grandiose and ambitious enough for this super-powered team, I found the lineup handling these dangers to be less than pleasant to spend time with.
Batman is barely in this book, appearing in the first 4 issues and thereafter making the bare minimum of appearances. “I promised the League I’d be prepared to function in an advisory capacity” he growls at Superman, “That’s what I’m doing now”, before exiting the story. He’s so contemptuous of the JLA! Aquaman too doesn’t want to be there, making sure everyone know that at all times. And everyone’s mean to Green Lantern - Kyle Rayner - who’s fresh from the ranks of the Teen Titans. Rayner’s so bullied that he becomes insecure saying things like: “I can’t handle this. It’s like playing with the Beatles”. J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter, when he’s not making Rayner feel inadequate, is the definition of aloof; standing in the background, pupil-less eyes staring stoically ahead, arms crossed. Besides one panel - one! - in this book where he shows what he can do, he contributes so little I kept wondering what he was doing on the team. And Superman and Wonder Woman seem to prefer to work separately and do so most of the time. The only 2 who actually work well as a team are the Flash and Green Lantern. Otherwise, this JLA are a team in name only. They’re so uncommitted to this line-up that they actually start holding auditions for new members by issue #5!
But there are plenty of good moments in this book. I really liked Morrison’s characterisation of Batman who is cold but impossibly brilliant, constantly being the biggest threat in this group of god-like figures despite having no super-powers. In every story he’s included in, he plays the major role, being the first one to figure out what’s going on and how best to defeat the challenge, setting up traps and situations ahead of time. Like a brilliant chess grandmaster, he’s several moves ahead of everyone else. As a Batman fan, I loved this version of the character - at least when he was around.
I haven’t read many Green Lantern books but the stories I have read have had GL make some very mundane creations, swords/guns etc. Morrison’s GL constructs are actually imaginative and cool. He comes up with a robotic T-Rex, spaceships, and a manga robot to fight with, and in one instance when all he needs to do is create a cutting device for some rope he crafts an intricately robotic pair of scissors! He also utilises Flash’s speed by creating a laser gun powered by a treadmill Flash runs on - genius!
“JLA Vol 1” has some cool storylines but the characters weren’t likeable or developed enough for me to fully enjoy the book. The group dynamics put me off as they all seemed awkward and unpleasant around each other, as if they hadn’t settled down enough to work as a team but, disappointingly, there was no effort to resolve this. Batman’s portrayal made reading this worth it but the lack of character development for Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman was a big failing as the “JLA” is made up of different personalities and yet half of them seem to be cardboard cutouts, mechanically performing the role of the hero. It definitely felt that Morrison wasn’t able to juggle this many disparate characters well enough yet and so the stories tend to feature Superman or Flash or Green Lantern in fully fleshed out roles while the others are left out or underwritten as a result.
“JLA” falls between the good and the bad of Morrison’s work. It has it’s good moments but is also underwhelming and tedious by turns. Hopefully, like his fantastic run on Batman, the early issues are the worst of the bunch before he finds his feet with the series and it takes off in “Vol 2”.
December 25, 2021
This volume was so good!
It starts with the coming of the so called Hyper clan and well the JL has to reform and fight these pretenders and I love the way Morrison highlights what the JL mission is through this story and some cool moments for Batman and MM and then another story with Tomorrow woman and how this android who was supposed to be a trojan virus became a hero and great one and done story. Another story with Neron and the invasion of Asmodel vs JL and Zauriel and I love how the team goes against the angels and win but seems like he will return for sure.
Another story where the Key comes in and like puts the team in a dream state and well the only person who can save them is the new GA and its amazing how Morrison writes him at his best and shows how a man with just strings and bows can be a hero too and good story to highlight the different personalities in the team! Also the way he manages to do some interesting things with Superman blue was awesome and that thing with the moon was crazy, just showing his insane powers!
Plus the last story with the coming of the team as they stop those mind controlling starfish shows their tenacity and what they will do as a superteam. Amazing stories and amazing character expansions and morrison works his magic with them beautifully and I love the art of Porter and its fabulous throughout so yeah a must recommend!!
It starts with the coming of the so called Hyper clan and well the JL has to reform and fight these pretenders and I love the way Morrison highlights what the JL mission is through this story and some cool moments for Batman and MM and then another story with Tomorrow woman and how this android who was supposed to be a trojan virus became a hero and great one and done story. Another story with Neron and the invasion of Asmodel vs JL and Zauriel and I love how the team goes against the angels and win but seems like he will return for sure.
Another story where the Key comes in and like puts the team in a dream state and well the only person who can save them is the new GA and its amazing how Morrison writes him at his best and shows how a man with just strings and bows can be a hero too and good story to highlight the different personalities in the team! Also the way he manages to do some interesting things with Superman blue was awesome and that thing with the moon was crazy, just showing his insane powers!
Plus the last story with the coming of the team as they stop those mind controlling starfish shows their tenacity and what they will do as a superteam. Amazing stories and amazing character expansions and morrison works his magic with them beautifully and I love the art of Porter and its fabulous throughout so yeah a must recommend!!
July 17, 2014
This is my first official Justice League comic that I recall reading. That's to be celebrated, even if it was not as good as I hoped. I read some Batman in my youth, but my major exposure to the Justice League is through the "Superfriends" (regrettably that hasn't aged well), and the awesome Cartoon Network "Justice League" tv show (and also "Justice League Unlimited").
I don't know. This just seemed kind of hokey for lack of a better word. It was an interesting idea, a space alien counterpart to the Justice League, who was sweeping in and stealing the JL's thunder by saving the world, even going so far as to irrigate and reseed the large deserts. Their actions never rang true to me, but they seriously seemed to get to the JL psychologically. Superman was even questioning if he was really living up to his well-treasured values regarding his mission to protect the Earth.
The reveal was fairly cool, and as always, Batman manages to outthink his enemies with his superb tactical and deductive brain. That part was cool when the JL takes back their Earth-protecting laurels.
I'd call this a decent comic. Not great, but not terrible either. Not the best start for my Justice League reading career, but them's the breaks.
I don't know. This just seemed kind of hokey for lack of a better word. It was an interesting idea, a space alien counterpart to the Justice League, who was sweeping in and stealing the JL's thunder by saving the world, even going so far as to irrigate and reseed the large deserts. Their actions never rang true to me, but they seriously seemed to get to the JL psychologically. Superman was even questioning if he was really living up to his well-treasured values regarding his mission to protect the Earth.
The reveal was fairly cool, and as always, Batman manages to outthink his enemies with his superb tactical and deductive brain. That part was cool when the JL takes back their Earth-protecting laurels.
I'd call this a decent comic. Not great, but not terrible either. Not the best start for my Justice League reading career, but them's the breaks.
January 18, 2017
This is a 2.5. Right down the middle. Because that's what it is. Just okay.
So I know a lot of people love this guy. "Grant has done amazing things for comics" and "he's so deep" and "his stories define characters like Batman and Superman" but for me, this guy has huge writing issues.
Okay so let's talk about what works. The art is solid, if not a little overboard. Sure everyone looks terrible (superman's hair, Kyle looking like he's always yelling, why is wonder women more muscular than Aquaman?) but the fights are easy to follow and the villains all look interesting to say the least. The dialog also can work at times. The flash/Lantern chemistry is solid. Loved seeing Connor at the end come into the JLA. I dug blue Superman's scary look despite it being kind of stupid. I also liked that Batman came up with great ideas but didn't just beat everyone because he's batman. It's because he thought logically how to win. Oh and also loved the first arc with the superhero wannabes coming to earth. The second arc wasn't nearly as good.
Which brings me to the issues. Second arc revolves around angels coming down and the Justice League fighting back. It's both over the top, filled with shitty dialog, and don't even get me started on the uselessness of half the team. I don't even remember half of them doing anything...just wonder women and then Superman did something and...I actually can't remember tbh. Because Morrison throws a lot on a few pages and says "Look, I made a very complex and big mutli-page event" but in reality it's just confusing and a mess. Not nearly as bad as his Batman run but this was pretty much the same for arc 2.
We finish on a average storyline we've all seen before. The weakest member of the team saves them all. Connor is the green arrow, and he's fun (not as fun as ollie) and saves the Justice League. I liked that moment even if it wasn't as epic as I hoped. I liked some stories inside their minds when the Justice League was under like Batman old and having Tim face off against Joker but overall it was just okay arc.
So this 3 arc book was okay but overall not all that memorable. I much rather read John's Justice League tbh, even if it becomes horrible around Darkseid event.
Saying that I'll be picking up volume 2 and seeing if I enjoy it more! I never give up after one volume ;)
So I know a lot of people love this guy. "Grant has done amazing things for comics" and "he's so deep" and "his stories define characters like Batman and Superman" but for me, this guy has huge writing issues.
Okay so let's talk about what works. The art is solid, if not a little overboard. Sure everyone looks terrible (superman's hair, Kyle looking like he's always yelling, why is wonder women more muscular than Aquaman?) but the fights are easy to follow and the villains all look interesting to say the least. The dialog also can work at times. The flash/Lantern chemistry is solid. Loved seeing Connor at the end come into the JLA. I dug blue Superman's scary look despite it being kind of stupid. I also liked that Batman came up with great ideas but didn't just beat everyone because he's batman. It's because he thought logically how to win. Oh and also loved the first arc with the superhero wannabes coming to earth. The second arc wasn't nearly as good.
Which brings me to the issues. Second arc revolves around angels coming down and the Justice League fighting back. It's both over the top, filled with shitty dialog, and don't even get me started on the uselessness of half the team. I don't even remember half of them doing anything...just wonder women and then Superman did something and...I actually can't remember tbh. Because Morrison throws a lot on a few pages and says "Look, I made a very complex and big mutli-page event" but in reality it's just confusing and a mess. Not nearly as bad as his Batman run but this was pretty much the same for arc 2.
We finish on a average storyline we've all seen before. The weakest member of the team saves them all. Connor is the green arrow, and he's fun (not as fun as ollie) and saves the Justice League. I liked that moment even if it wasn't as epic as I hoped. I liked some stories inside their minds when the Justice League was under like Batman old and having Tim face off against Joker but overall it was just okay arc.
So this 3 arc book was okay but overall not all that memorable. I much rather read John's Justice League tbh, even if it becomes horrible around Darkseid event.
Saying that I'll be picking up volume 2 and seeing if I enjoy it more! I never give up after one volume ;)
August 25, 2017
Primer tomo que reúne los nueve números iniciales más dos historias cortas, un Secret Files y un día en la vida de.
Esto fue el regreso de la liga a todo trapo, luego de la genial etapa en otra forma de Giffen y Dematteis con personajes secundarios e historias muy bizarras Grant Morrison le devuelve el status de super grupo con los peso pesados.
Los primeros cuatro son contra el Hyperclan, el quinto el regreso del dúo científico creador del Red Tornado y Amazo, el sexto y séptimo la tremenda batalla entre cielo e infierno con la aparición de Azrael, el ángel exiliado del cielo que solicita la mortalidad por el amor a una humana. Los últimos dos compilados trae un viejo enemigo reversionado, The Key con poderes de inducir sueños como virus creando alucinaciones en toda la liga menos un miembro que estaba a punto de ser aceptado por eso escapa a los planes del villano, el Green Arrow de entonces, hijo de Ollie.
El primer extra es la previa que no entiendo porque ubican al final del tomo, es la batalla contra Starro que obliga a los popes de la liga a volver a reunirse y el otro una historia muy menor que podría ubicarse entre los primeros cuatro números y otra vez sin mucho atino dejan para cerrar el tomo.
Esto fue el regreso de la liga a todo trapo, luego de la genial etapa en otra forma de Giffen y Dematteis con personajes secundarios e historias muy bizarras Grant Morrison le devuelve el status de super grupo con los peso pesados.
Los primeros cuatro son contra el Hyperclan, el quinto el regreso del dúo científico creador del Red Tornado y Amazo, el sexto y séptimo la tremenda batalla entre cielo e infierno con la aparición de Azrael, el ángel exiliado del cielo que solicita la mortalidad por el amor a una humana. Los últimos dos compilados trae un viejo enemigo reversionado, The Key con poderes de inducir sueños como virus creando alucinaciones en toda la liga menos un miembro que estaba a punto de ser aceptado por eso escapa a los planes del villano, el Green Arrow de entonces, hijo de Ollie.
El primer extra es la previa que no entiendo porque ubican al final del tomo, es la batalla contra Starro que obliga a los popes de la liga a volver a reunirse y el otro una historia muy menor que podría ubicarse entre los primeros cuatro números y otra vez sin mucho atino dejan para cerrar el tomo.
March 28, 2021
Grant Morrison's late 90's JLA run is considered by many readers to be the best Justice League incarnation, and I can definitely see why. It's just a heckuva lot of fun! The stories are huge in scope and scale, and the all-star cast is mostly well-utilized. While this is probably the most straight superhero book Morrison's ever done, it still has a lot of their style and imagination. The book does feels slightly dated with its sometimes excessive use of exposition, and the dialogue can be pretty clunky, but I had so much fun with the stories and the characters that I could easily look past all that. The only really negative thing I can say about this comic is the artwork — which, to be fair, is decent to pretty good when it comes to action, layouts and backgrounds, but the way some of the characters look, it's just... yeah...
Still, the artwork does the job just fine most of the time and doesn't distract too much from the good stories. From what I hear, Morrison's JLA run gets only better from here, so I can't wait to delve into the next book!
Still, the artwork does the job just fine most of the time and doesn't distract too much from the good stories. From what I hear, Morrison's JLA run gets only better from here, so I can't wait to delve into the next book!
May 1, 2014
I know that this was considered a huge step forward for DC at the time, and maybe if I'd read it at the time, or what came before, I might feel the same. But I didn't. I'm reading it for the first time more than 15 years later, and it's ok. Decent, mostly entertaining, but not spectacular. It doesn't help that it's just so painfully 90s. I mean, Superman Blue. I distinctly remember that stunt as something that kept me away from the DCU in the 90s, so there was nothing nostalgic about going back to it for me.
February 16, 2016
This book collects the first 9 issues of Grant Morrison's JLA run. Like all of his stuff, this is very kinetic work here. Lots of action and movement and not much introspection. I find a lot of Morrison's dialog to be a bit clumsy and sometimes opaque, but the plots are pretty good if finished off in a slapdash manner occasionally.
For instance, the issue dealing with Tomorrow Woman was a nice one issue story, but it came together rather quickly. She ingratiated herself with the team but it was never really shown how that was done or why she endeared herself to them in such a short time. It was a nice throwback to the silver age JLA, though, and Morrison does that occasionally. The Key shows up which was pretty cool for an outdated character. And having Green Arrow, even though it was Connor Hawke, as the first real member of the JLA, keeping in line with the Silver Age GA, was a very nice touch.
Howard Porter's art is awful, though. Wonder Woman is tiny waisted, and her unitard barely covers the crack of her ass. The proportion is often off and very badly off. Scenes are not quite coherent, either. I don't get the appeal of this guy's art at all.
Very middle of the road for me, but Morrison does show a lot of promise here. I read this book as singles when they were first published, but I've forgotten most of what they're about, so it's nice to reconnect.
For instance, the issue dealing with Tomorrow Woman was a nice one issue story, but it came together rather quickly. She ingratiated herself with the team but it was never really shown how that was done or why she endeared herself to them in such a short time. It was a nice throwback to the silver age JLA, though, and Morrison does that occasionally. The Key shows up which was pretty cool for an outdated character. And having Green Arrow, even though it was Connor Hawke, as the first real member of the JLA, keeping in line with the Silver Age GA, was a very nice touch.
Howard Porter's art is awful, though. Wonder Woman is tiny waisted, and her unitard barely covers the crack of her ass. The proportion is often off and very badly off. Scenes are not quite coherent, either. I don't get the appeal of this guy's art at all.
Very middle of the road for me, but Morrison does show a lot of promise here. I read this book as singles when they were first published, but I've forgotten most of what they're about, so it's nice to reconnect.
March 2, 2019
Theres so many different layers and ideas here. Some work some are just too wacky for me.
August 14, 2021
So I decided to give this series another chance and I did end up liking it better this time around, I still think the art is terrible tho.
October 24, 2011
Rereading this for the first time since buying it loose. Morrison really attacks JLA like it is insane-o Silver Age comic action but peppers it with the modernism he's known for. It's funny too because some of the characterizations are wildly off, Kyle Rayner in particular, whom Morrison writes as kind of a Bill & Ted type "dude."
Its also very indicative of the '90s ACTION style, where everything is so overwrought and wall-to-wall and the character interactions come second. I remember that being one of my original problems with JLA, and that hasn't changed 10 years later.
Still, Howard Porter's art is perfectly suited for the insanity Morrison spews from page to page. His hyper-detailed layouts always envelop characters that are perpetually in motion: I don't think he's capable of drawing people just standing around having a normal convo. It works, however, and I'm looking forward to comparing Porter's work here with later issues of JLA and his later FLASH work with Geoff Johns.
Its also very indicative of the '90s ACTION style, where everything is so overwrought and wall-to-wall and the character interactions come second. I remember that being one of my original problems with JLA, and that hasn't changed 10 years later.
Still, Howard Porter's art is perfectly suited for the insanity Morrison spews from page to page. His hyper-detailed layouts always envelop characters that are perpetually in motion: I don't think he's capable of drawing people just standing around having a normal convo. It works, however, and I'm looking forward to comparing Porter's work here with later issues of JLA and his later FLASH work with Geoff Johns.
July 23, 2020
Not as good as I wanted it to be.
I’m an unparalleled fan of Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, so I walked into this with expectations. I thought it would be a page turner with intense drama and intrigue. What I ended up with was some relatively standard superhero fare. There were moments I loved (Batman fucking up the superbadguys was especially awesome,) but overall this just wasn’t all that consistent.
I’m also not crazy about Howard Porter. Everything he draws looks like it’s made of silly putty. Perhaps some people like that style, but it’s not for me.
I have vol 2, so I’ll read if. Maybe it’s better. All in all, I expected better from Grant.
I’m an unparalleled fan of Grant Morrison’s New X-Men, so I walked into this with expectations. I thought it would be a page turner with intense drama and intrigue. What I ended up with was some relatively standard superhero fare. There were moments I loved (Batman fucking up the superbadguys was especially awesome,) but overall this just wasn’t all that consistent.
I’m also not crazy about Howard Porter. Everything he draws looks like it’s made of silly putty. Perhaps some people like that style, but it’s not for me.
I have vol 2, so I’ll read if. Maybe it’s better. All in all, I expected better from Grant.
April 15, 2018
This was a really up and down read. I normally love Morrisons work but I found the 2 story arcs just polar opposite in style and quality. The 2nd involved angels and alot of fighting, which I found was way too complex and confusing than it should have been. Even after finishing I'm still confused as to what actually happened. To me its 2 in 1. The first is 4 star quality and the 2nd 2 star. The artwork was fun but some of the characters just had annoying features. What was up with supermans hair? Anyways probably will have its group of fans, but wasnt my favourite Morrison read.
February 10, 2018
Superman save us...blahblahblah....oh no a weird alien, superman save us....blahblahblah...wonder woman is hot...blahblahblah.
Boooo.
Boooo.
February 20, 2019
Didn’t particularly enjoy this tbh. Morrison is either hit or miss, and this was a miss.
September 8, 2024
Grant Morrison revived the Justice League of America in the 90s. Most of the JLA gets a makeover: Superman starts off with a mullet but suddenly turns into a blue guy with a haircut (with no explanation . . . but apparently is explained in the Superman comics), Batman has claws, Wonder Woman looks like a professional wrestler, Aquaman has a hook for a hand, and the Green Lantern is wearing a chunk of plastic on his face. Of course, this JLA is the “new” incarnations of the heroes: Green Lantern is Kyle, The Flash is Wally, Green Arrow is Connor.
The JLA faces all kinds of baddies: an alien superhero team, robots, angels, the Joker, Spectre.
Morrison’s run of JLA is legendary, but this first volume seemed a bit weak to me (and reading some of the reviews, it sounds like he really found his feet in subsequent volumes). The stories feel a bit rushed and seem to be lacking some essential details (however, I think that is part of the problem with stories with half a dozen protagonists, like JLA and Avengers). Aquaman and Martian Manhunter hardly do anything in this volume. Batman says he’s acting in “an advisory capacity,” so he’s mostly in the background.
So, in sum, I didn’t think this was as great as many think, but I’m willing to keep reading the run.
The JLA faces all kinds of baddies: an alien superhero team, robots, angels, the Joker, Spectre.
Morrison’s run of JLA is legendary, but this first volume seemed a bit weak to me (and reading some of the reviews, it sounds like he really found his feet in subsequent volumes). The stories feel a bit rushed and seem to be lacking some essential details (however, I think that is part of the problem with stories with half a dozen protagonists, like JLA and Avengers). Aquaman and Martian Manhunter hardly do anything in this volume. Batman says he’s acting in “an advisory capacity,” so he’s mostly in the background.
So, in sum, I didn’t think this was as great as many think, but I’m willing to keep reading the run.
August 3, 2025
This was one of the few JL books added in many Batman essential read list , and it's easy to see why , coz unlike the present DC Justice league runs, you can see why Batman is essential for JL . 5 stories in this book and 2 of them are displays of Batman's worth . But that's not all , there's a heavy dose of Superman displayed as the God incarnate and a healthy banter between Green Lantern and Flash . Alas if you are a Wonder Woman fan you would be crestfallen by the sight of Wonder Woman being a useless Muscle for the team and facing countless moments of Lechery . And if you like Martian Manhanter and Aquaman , this is just not the book for your fandom
January 28, 2020
So I have reread volume one of Morrison's run Justice League. There has always been great buzz on how great this series was under Mr. Grant. The truth is I think I appreciate it more after another reads through. Morrison had some big ideas about the scope of his Justice League stories. What is great about Morrison's take on one of the most important superhero teams in comics is that he was able to tell these larger event stories while still not straying away from the continuity and status quo of many of the League's heavy hitters. The truth is that I do not have as much attachment to this version of the league as much as a do for the Geoff Johns take on the league he began in 2011 with the DC Comics: The New 52 initiative. But in all fairness Mr. Johns and those writers who came to the book after Morrison owe a lot to the famed British writer. When this series was on the news stands I was heavily watching the Batman the Animated series, X-men and shows like Gargoyles. So much of my early comic reading was shaped by those 90s cartoon shows. But it was the Justice League cartoon series that was release during the early 2000s that made me a super-fan of the team. The creators of that show credit much of the feel and story to Morrison's take. In fact the first story arc of this volume is the basis for the first few episodes of the cartoon show. There is a lot that works well for this series and lays the groundwork for what Justice League is all about. In JLA: New World Order Morrison and artist Howard Porter give a look at these superheroes as being gods amongst us who have to not only protect the world from evils from across the universe but also threats that one hero can not handle alone. Today many might find these first arcs a little over the top. I mean we get an invasion of Martians, angels from heaven, and even the invasion of the heroes minds as well. I mean Morrison really throws a lot at the comic book reader. But I believe what Grant was trying to do was to create challenges worthy of the existence of this mighty heroes needing to team up.
The only downsize I could find to this book was that many new comic readers to this series may want to go read the solo outings of the league members during this time. This especially true for characters like Flash (Wally West), Green Arrow (Connor Hawke), & Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner). The mention are legacy characters two of which are new to their mantles. I knew of Wally being the Flash during this period thanks to the animated series because Wally was the current Flash in that cartoon show. Connor and Kyle I did not have much attachment to because I need to read their solo outings during this period. I really enjoyed the more recent takes on Kyle in series like Omega Men by Tom King: The Deluxe Edition & Green Lantern: New Guardians, Volume 1: The Ring Bearer. I thought Wonder Woman characterization was a little one dimensional in these stories but this could change going forward in the next volumes. In short this is a must read take on the JLA. For more great JLA books I highly recommend: Justice League, Volume 1: Origin, Justice League, Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis, Justice League: Trinity War, Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus, Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, Absolute DC: The New Frontier, Forever Evil, &Justice League: A League of One.
The only downsize I could find to this book was that many new comic readers to this series may want to go read the solo outings of the league members during this time. This especially true for characters like Flash (Wally West), Green Arrow (Connor Hawke), & Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner). The mention are legacy characters two of which are new to their mantles. I knew of Wally being the Flash during this period thanks to the animated series because Wally was the current Flash in that cartoon show. Connor and Kyle I did not have much attachment to because I need to read their solo outings during this period. I really enjoyed the more recent takes on Kyle in series like Omega Men by Tom King: The Deluxe Edition & Green Lantern: New Guardians, Volume 1: The Ring Bearer. I thought Wonder Woman characterization was a little one dimensional in these stories but this could change going forward in the next volumes. In short this is a must read take on the JLA. For more great JLA books I highly recommend: Justice League, Volume 1: Origin, Justice League, Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis, Justice League: Trinity War, Justice League: The Darkseid War Saga Omnibus, Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, Absolute DC: The New Frontier, Forever Evil, &Justice League: A League of One.
December 10, 2017
I've figured it out. I finally know the key to enjoying Morrison's work. Completely let go of any sense of reality (yes, I do know how that sounds in the context of comic books, just go with me on this) and expect weirdness on a massive scale. Expect the ridiculous, expect over the top and insane. Expect to be left with questions and feeling like you've missed something, an inside joke that careened past your head. You were too busy looking at the right hand that you didn't notice what he did with the left one.
Of course, there is a very strong possibility that I'm dim when it comes to...well, a lot of things (pretty sure this is a known fact tbh). There are some authors that are on a different level than the one I operate one, both in comics and in literature (can I blame the fact that I have to use the analytical side of my brain all day for my job?). I'm not going to connect to some writers like I do with others. Morrison is not a Tomasi or an Orlando or a Bendis, Hickman, Tynion IV, etc. I won't "get" what everyone is trying to say all the time.
It's also that an author will not always doing the same thing all the time. Morrison created Damian Wayne, one of my favorite characters. I loved the Batman and Son arc, it worked for me. But he also created the New X-Men: Omnibus, filled stories and characters that I had a very difficult time connecting with, and Absolute All-Star Superman, a book that I didn't appreciate until I saw the animated film version of it and found myself frowning over and saying "the book was so much better, it was bigger and crazier and makes you feel so much more".
With this book, the crazy genius of Morrison starts to really shine through for me. I got to read about the JLA fighting a Martian invasion, an android that developed it's own code of ethics, an angelic battle, and a computerized dream sequence of what-if elseworlds. At first, I tried to make sense of it all, to keep it "real" despite Superman's goddamned mullet. When he turned blue and had white energy constantly spilling from his eyes, I realized I just needed to let go and enjoy the crazy train.
In a sense, I almost feel like reading this made me a better comics reader in general. Not all stories are going to fit in neat little boxes and be full of character development and searing social commentary. While those are important and I love them dearly, I realized maybe they aren't the only reason comic books and graphic novels are so great. Maybe it's that they let you switch off your expectations and take you on wild adventures, tearing through boundaries of the unbelievable while maintaining the fun and near-child-like wonder that sequential art can give the reader. Maybe having someone writing bigger than life characters and stranger than fiction stories that perhaps aren't supposed to make sense is just as important.
So yeah. This wasn't amazing in itself, but it's a big step for me on a personal level and really, what else could you ask for in a book?
Of course, there is a very strong possibility that I'm dim when it comes to...well, a lot of things (pretty sure this is a known fact tbh). There are some authors that are on a different level than the one I operate one, both in comics and in literature (can I blame the fact that I have to use the analytical side of my brain all day for my job?). I'm not going to connect to some writers like I do with others. Morrison is not a Tomasi or an Orlando or a Bendis, Hickman, Tynion IV, etc. I won't "get" what everyone is trying to say all the time.
It's also that an author will not always doing the same thing all the time. Morrison created Damian Wayne, one of my favorite characters. I loved the Batman and Son arc, it worked for me. But he also created the New X-Men: Omnibus, filled stories and characters that I had a very difficult time connecting with, and Absolute All-Star Superman, a book that I didn't appreciate until I saw the animated film version of it and found myself frowning over and saying "the book was so much better, it was bigger and crazier and makes you feel so much more".
With this book, the crazy genius of Morrison starts to really shine through for me. I got to read about the JLA fighting a Martian invasion, an android that developed it's own code of ethics, an angelic battle, and a computerized dream sequence of what-if elseworlds. At first, I tried to make sense of it all, to keep it "real" despite Superman's goddamned mullet. When he turned blue and had white energy constantly spilling from his eyes, I realized I just needed to let go and enjoy the crazy train.
In a sense, I almost feel like reading this made me a better comics reader in general. Not all stories are going to fit in neat little boxes and be full of character development and searing social commentary. While those are important and I love them dearly, I realized maybe they aren't the only reason comic books and graphic novels are so great. Maybe it's that they let you switch off your expectations and take you on wild adventures, tearing through boundaries of the unbelievable while maintaining the fun and near-child-like wonder that sequential art can give the reader. Maybe having someone writing bigger than life characters and stranger than fiction stories that perhaps aren't supposed to make sense is just as important.
So yeah. This wasn't amazing in itself, but it's a big step for me on a personal level and really, what else could you ask for in a book?
April 19, 2015
The first volume's easily the weakest, but it's still really awesome. The stand-out stories are "Woman of Tomorrow", where the team gains a new member who's got a few secrets that even she doesn't know, and "A Rage of Angels", which brings the first taste of the hugely epic tone that would make the series famous.
July 9, 2017
Long-haired Superman tackles martian millennials, JLA recruitment, and a costume change that I didn't really understand.
June 25, 2022
Rounding up to 4 stars for boxing glove arrows.
May 31, 2020
4.5
I had started watching Justice League the animated show a few weeks prior to purchasing JLA 1-4 volumes, but you can see where they found certain designs and storylines from. This is an easy jump on point for newcomers and fans alike. Grant Morrison shows considerable restraint and the straight forward storylines keep this from growing into something subliminal or cerebral. If you're worried about JLA being like The Invisibles, don't be. Accessible and a large ensemble of characters.
Why the 4.5?
All I have heard during my exile in isolation is how great this JLA run by Grant Morrison is. I did enjoy the volume but it hasn't hit that classic status just yet. It's still a well developed series and it only has to maintain the solid work done here. I enjoy Morrison's work and The Invisibles was a series I read before knowing who he actually was in the medium. I'm eager to continue this series and thank my over completion obsession, I have the next 3 volumes ready to go. I would suggest getting the omnibus which will be released in the coming months.
I had started watching Justice League the animated show a few weeks prior to purchasing JLA 1-4 volumes, but you can see where they found certain designs and storylines from. This is an easy jump on point for newcomers and fans alike. Grant Morrison shows considerable restraint and the straight forward storylines keep this from growing into something subliminal or cerebral. If you're worried about JLA being like The Invisibles, don't be. Accessible and a large ensemble of characters.
Why the 4.5?
All I have heard during my exile in isolation is how great this JLA run by Grant Morrison is. I did enjoy the volume but it hasn't hit that classic status just yet. It's still a well developed series and it only has to maintain the solid work done here. I enjoy Morrison's work and The Invisibles was a series I read before knowing who he actually was in the medium. I'm eager to continue this series and thank my over completion obsession, I have the next 3 volumes ready to go. I would suggest getting the omnibus which will be released in the coming months.
October 17, 2019
3.5. Man the 90s really did have a bullet wearing Superman. Kinda had to see it to believe it. This is a very strong start for the JLA. I don't want to say too much because this story is best enjoyed without any idea of where it's going. The first issue annoyed me because it looked so fucking expected, but then deconstructed the tired old plot device it was going for. It really did. Also I love Grant Morrison so much when he has fun with the characters and this shows how much he really genuinely loves the Justice League. He made the Flash, Kyle Rayner, Aquaman, and Martian Manhunter into characters that were fun to read! Particular praise goes to Martian Manhunter though. I never realized how conflicted and nuanced he could be written. Downside? The story occasionally gets hard to follow with Morrison really going weird later on. He also occasionally writes very corny dialogue, that may or may not be intentionally tongue-in-cheek of the bygone super friends era. And the 90s art can feel dated. Overly huge muscles with veins popping out. Wonder Woman has a non-existent waist. But such is the 90s. Having said that I've heard amazing things of his follow up story 'Rock of Ages.' I'm excited to read it.
September 5, 2018
Over the top, 90s DC fun. 90s art, Superman with a mullet, Electric Blue Superman, Hook Hand Aquaman and Kyle Rayner as GL. All the 90's DC ups and downs in one but somehow Grant Morrison makes it all work with some fun and extremely fast paced stories. It's not too emotional, but the stakes and villains suit the level of the heroes and the characters bounce off each other well. Morrison also does better with Kyle Rayner as GL than the people who have written him. This is far from a top tier comic but definitely an enjoyable ride (once you get past the extremely 90s art).
January 24, 2019
Already legendary? I don't know. I got back into comics because I liked Final Crisis, but people I talked to who were still into comics said FC was weak sauce compared to Morrison's JLA.
I am prepared to accept the "canned" account that Morrison's JLA represented a return to roots, a silver age approach to super heroes in stark contrast to the darker themes of the nineties.
At any rate, these stories are lighthearted and fun, with many of the Morrison tropes already on display.
Solid.
I am prepared to accept the "canned" account that Morrison's JLA represented a return to roots, a silver age approach to super heroes in stark contrast to the darker themes of the nineties.
At any rate, these stories are lighthearted and fun, with many of the Morrison tropes already on display.
Solid.
August 2, 2021
As fun and bonkers as I remember. The JLA fight edgy 90s versions of themselves, then there is a one-off involving a self-aware robot, then they live alternate edgy 90s lives while fighting a villain named the Key who wields a key-shaped gun, and then they fight off an invasion of literal angels. Great. Perfect. No notes.
August 8, 2022
It’s weird reading this in the 2020s. So much has changed, and yet, everything feels so intimately familiar. It’s easy to see why Morrison’s run on JLA brought DC so much success at the time. This book was clever and fun, just the way a good superhero book should be.
The art is horrible though. Blegh.
The art is horrible though. Blegh.
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